Discriminatory harassment of any person or group of persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status is prohibited. Any employee, student, student organization, or person privileged to work or to study at the Prof. Ramkrishna More A.C.S. College, Akurdi, Pune-44, who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action: for employees, up to and including termination; and for others, up to and including permanent exclusion from the Institute.

This policy applies to every member of the Institute community. Faculty, students, and staff at all levels are responsible for maintaining an appropriate environment for study and work. This includes conducting themselves in a professional manner. Toward this end, the Prof. Ramkrishna More A.C.S. College, Akurdi, Pune-44 supports the principle that harassment represents a failure in professional and ethical behavior that will not be condoned.

This policy and procedure is intended to facilitate an atmosphere in which faculty, staff, and students have the right to raise the issue of discriminatory harassment without fear of retaliation and to ensure that violations are fully remedied. No member of the Prof. Ramkrishna More A.C.S. College, Akurdi, Pune-44 Community will be retaliated against for making a good faith report of alleged harassment or for participating in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing.

Prof. Ramkrishna More A.C.S. College, Akurdi, Pune-44 is committed to providing its staff, faculty, and students the opportunity to pursue excellence in their academic and professional endeavors. This opportunity can exist only when each member of our community is assured an atmosphere of mutual respect. The free and open exchange of ideas is fundamental to the Institute's purpose. It is not the Institute's intent in promulgating this policy to inhibit free speech or the free communication of ideas by members of the academic community.

• Discriminatory harassment: Unwelcome verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment.
• Sexual harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic standing.

Complaints of Sexual Misconduct: Addressed as per Board of Regents Sexual Misconduct Policy. Complaints should be filed with the Internal Complaint Committee within 30 days of the alleged incident.

Complaints of Discriminatory Harassment: Should be reported within 3 months of the alleged incident to the Anti-Harassment Committee. The committee will conduct a preliminary review within 10 working days of receiving the complaint.

Confidentiality: All complaints will be handled with maximum confidentiality possible, with information shared only with those who need to know to investigate and resolve the matter.

Investigation Process: Includes interviews with complainant, respondent, and witnesses; review of relevant documents; and preparation of written findings.

Resolution: May include mediation (where appropriate), disciplinary action, training, or other remedies designed to end the harassment and prevent recurrence.

Discriminatory Harassment

Unwelcome verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct directed against any person or group, based upon:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex
• National origin
• Age
• Disability
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity
• Veteran status

That has the purpose or effect of creating an objectively hostile working or academic environment. A hostile environment is created when harassment is so severe, pervasive, or persistent as to unreasonably interfere with or limit an individual's employment or educational opportunities.

Important Distinction

Harassment must be distinguished from behavior which, even though unpleasant or disconcerting, is appropriate to the carrying out of certain instructional, advisory, or supervisory responsibilities.

Sexual Harassment Definition

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, when:

Gender Considerations

Both men and women, as well as persons of the same gender, may be either the initiators or victims of sexual harassment.

1. Complaints of Sexual Misconduct

Complaints of Sexual Misconduct (which includes, but is not limited to):

• Domestic violence
• Dating violence
• Sexual assault
• Sexual exploitation
• Sexual harassment
• Stalking

Are addressed pursuant to the policies and procedures of the Board of Regents Sexual Misconduct Policy. Additional procedures for complaints of sexual misconduct by students are contained in the Student Sexual Misconduct Policy.

2. Complaints of Discriminatory Harassment